A DRUNKEN BRAWL

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13891, 17 October 1918, Page 4

A DRUNKEN BRAWL

AN UNSAVOURY HOUSE. ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT. HEAVY SENTENCES INFLICTED. An incident which happened at the Grand Hotel, Frankton, ** last evening, was ventilated at the Police Court, Hamilton, this morning, before Messrs Mason and Walsh, J.'sP. Six Months' Imprisonment. Jack McCarthy was charged with being found drunk at Frankton; also, with a breach of his prohibition order. McCarthy was further charged with assaulting George .Manners by striking: him on the face with his list; assaulting Mrs Jsnet Billett by throwing her on the floor of the Grand Boardingbouse ; assaulting Mrs E. Gilson by striking her with his hand; assaulting Constable Warneforc' while in the execution of his duty.

Senior-Sergeant Cassells represented the police . George Manners, porter at the Grand Hotel, Frankton, gave evidence that McCarthy stayed at the boarding-house. Last night he was drunk, and chaffed witness and talked fight. McCarthy then called Meyer out, and pushed him on witness. Then they both began to pummel him. The two women came out, and McCarthy pushed one on the floor, and when the other went to ring up the police, McCarthy pushed her roughly away. Constable Warncford arrived, but witness did not see anything further until he noticed the constable getting through the window. McCarthy ran away.

Constable Warneford said he went to the boarding-house, and found McCarthy and Meyer. McCarthy locked the door, and said to Meyer, "We'll -Jo for the . I'll cut his throat," Witness could not manage the two of them, and got through the window. Later he arrested Meyer, but McCarthy ran away. Mrs Janet Billett, a soldier's wife, working at the Grand Hotel, stated that last night she saw McCarthy and Meyer punch the porter. She went to get assistance and McCarthy threw her on the floor, bruising her arm and. hurting her ba.ck. Mrs Gilson, housemaid at the board-ing-house, gave corroborative evidence. She said she went to the telephone to ring up the police, and McCarthy took the receiver out of her hand, and pushed her away roughly. Accused said the whole affair happened in a few minutes, and he did not think it was as serious as stated. He had thrown Mrs Billett down accidentally. Accused was convicted of drunkenness, and also on the charges of assault.

Senior-Sergeant Cassclls said he would withdraw the charge of breach of prohibition order, but pressed for a severe penalty. * He had nothing to say in favour of the accused, who did nothing but run for beer, and was a low-down waster. His conduct to the women was brutal. The place at Frankton was a nuisance, and an eyesore to the residents, and the police had had to take action against several of those using it. Recently prohibition orders were issued against three of the occupants.

The Bench pointed out that the offence was a very serious one. Accused would be convicted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment on each of three charges of assault. On the charge of assaulting Constable Warneford lie would be sentenced to three months' imprisonment. The sentences would be cumulative. Charge of Theft.

McCarthy was also charged wHh the theft of certain engineer's tools, the property of the New Zealand Government. •

Senior-Sergeant Cassells. for the police, asked for a remand for eight days, and this was granted. Three Months' Imprisonment.

Anton Meyer was charged with having been drunk at Frank ton, and with assaulting George Manners by striking him on the face with his-fist; also, with •bstructing and resisting Constable Warneford in the execution of his duty. He pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant Cassells pressed ior a penalty. The circumstances worn the same as in the previous case. The boarding-house was a rendezvous for thieves and women of ill-repute. To lock a constable up in a room and threaten to cut his throat, was a serious offence, and could not be overlooked, if the man was a returned soldier.

Accused was convicted and discharged on the charge of drunkenness, and convicted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment at Auckland on each of the other three charges, the sentences to ruo concurrently. Fined £3. Philip Vavighan was charged with having been drunk at Frankton and with behaving in a threatening manner towards Janet Billett and Elsie Gilson. Constable Rossborough said after the previous affair at the boardinghouse he saw Vaughan with his coat off, and threatening someone o.i the street. Witness arrested him. Mrs Janet Billett gave evidence that accused threatened her and Mrs Gibson for sending for the police, and swore at her. Sfnior-Sergeant Cassells said hj? knew the man, who was an associate of thieves and did not deserve sympathy. The police wished to wipe out the place at Frankton. Accused asked for leniency. He said he had never been in trouble before, and was agreeable to taking out a prohibition order against himself if given another chance . Accused was convicted and fined £3 and costs, in default of 14 days' imprisonment. A prohibition order was also issued against him."